Kung Fu Panda 2 - More Black Than White

Perhaps the most important aspect of Kung Fu Panda 2 (and I never thought I would type this) is that the series is aging with its fans; so much so that I could expect Panda 3 to be the most adult of the series. They've already started exploring more personal themes than the last entry, which mostly took the themes of following your heart and believing in yourself and employed them. Here, the story deepens more than you might expect, dealing with themes of adoption, unrequited love, and acceptance of others. More importantly, the imagination of the film has grown tenfold.
Of course, there's a bit of formula; you can't escape the fact that it's a kid's movie, but it gets further away from the drama-killing formula that impeded the first film. When I sat down in the movie theater in 2008, I knew exactly what I was getting. It was going to be a film about a goofy "man-boy" (bear-cub?) panda who doesn't quite belong, who gets a Jungian call to duty to learn kung fu and save his village. Here, that formula is side-stepped in favor of a generally engrossing and slightly depressing storyline. Po (voiced by Jack Black) finds out that he's adopted and wants to find his biological parents, he's in love with Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie), who may or may not share his feelings, and the entire country of China is under attack by a villain who has a cannon that shoots a blast so powerful it wipes out any trace of the kung fu that seems to be the nation's bread-and-butter. So Po and his Furious Five - Tigress, Crane (voiced by David Cross), Mantis (voiced by Seth Rogen), Monkey (voiced by Jackie Chan), and Viper (voiced by Lucy Liu) - go off to defeat it; but how do you use kung fu to stop something that stops kung fu? "By finding inner peace," Po's mentor, Master Shinfu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman), tells him. That's heavy.
Kung Fu Panda 2 is more thoughtful than a film like this should have any right to be. The story is a kick in the gut if you're not expecting it from the start, filled with feelings of being lost and having no idea where you are, who you are, and what you're supposed to do to get back. Imagine someone threatens the thing you love most in the world, and the threat is very real, and you don't know how to defend it. It's a calm film, as well; the frenetic energy of the first one is still here, but spread out enough to not feel as crowded as the last time around. A major complaint I had from the first one: it's funny, it's cool, it's fun, but it's too much sometimes. This one gets the mix right. In fact, while I did enjoy the first one, I'd go so far to say that this is an improvement on it. It's more organized, not so hellbent on the easy laugh, and unafraid to dig deeper into its own theories and personality, something that it encourages its viewers to do as well. Parts of the film could be life lessons.
Po and the Furious Five find themselves deep in the heart of China, fighting an ancient evil in the form of Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), a psychotic peacock who has devised a weapon that will shatter the dreams of Master Shinfu's students by taking away their kung fu in order to take over China, and then the world. We don't really get his full plan for world domination, but we get the immediacy of it. First he has to take out the animals who can beat him. The character is absolutely nightmarish, not just because Oldman gives it literally all he can, but the animation that accompanies that brilliant performance is the stuff bad dreams are made of, and it's another voice I've never heard Oldman do before; he typically uses a different voice in every film he's in, and he always continues to impress me with his range. Despite the nature of the character, this is one of his finest works in a few years.
Something important to me during the viewing that might, unfortunately, go unnoticed by many is the subtle back-and-forth between computer animation and traditional animation. Flashbacks are a large part of the film, so the opening credits are done in traditional 2D animation, as are most of the memories we see Po recall. However, other characters don't remember in 2D. It's an important disjointedness to note in order to fully understand the character and the point of the film. Once a memory is fully accepted and believed, you aren't disjointed from it anymore, and it becomes a part of you - 2D to 3D, so to speak. Director Jennifer Yuh deserves more credit than she'll likely ever get for this.
Animated films these days have a way of attracting larger casts than they used to. I think this can be traced to Japan's Hayao Miyazaki productions, and the fact that Oscar winners and A-Listers collaborate to give his English-dubbed cartoons the best treatment they can get. Look at the cast list for this film and let me know if you're not impressed by the caliber: Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Haysbert, Danny McBride, Michelle Yeoh, and Gary Oldman. It seems to be that voice work is almost required to be a name in Hollywood these days; it used to be a death nail. It's not like anyone is sleepwalking through their work, either; each performance is a true performance, with characters fully drawn, even in bit parts. McBride's character doesn't have many lines, but I remember him clearly. Same for Chan, Van Damme, et al. It's an excellent cast, having fun with a fully realized screenplay, something rare for kid's movies.

Reviewed: Bad Teacher [2011]

Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) has somehow found herself as a school teacher during her life when all she wants to do is grab a man with lots of money who can provide for her. With her former fiancé having worked out the truth and ditching her, Elizabeth has to return and teach for yet another school year much to her frustration. Not only does she have to teach the children but also has to keep the principal (John Michael Higgins) and goody two shoes teacher Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch) off her back while all the time fending off the gym teacher Russell's (Jason Segel) advances.
Things start to look up then when she discovers the new substitute teacher Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) is sitting on a family fortune. But Elizabeth has competition from the ever perky/mentally unstable Amy so sets about getting money for a boob job that will be sure to win over Scott and his money. Confrontations get even more extreme when Elizabeth discovers there's a cash prize for the teacher who achieves the best academic results.
Timberlake once again shows that he is more than apt in the role as a dorky geek with his transitions to the screen a lot more impressive than some other wanna be pop star actors out there. During the movie, there was a moment when I thought they were going to get him singing properly but luckily he knows how to rip on himself very well. I'm still not sure whether most of his laughs come from the fact that the audience knows he is Justin Timberlake and he is doing weird things or whether it is because of his character. I'm inclined to say the former but he still got the laughs.
The others did their jobs with nothing spectacular but no duds either. Special credit goes to Phyllis Smith who plays Lynn the introvert teacher who is always pushed around and Segal who's performance merited more screen time. It also wouldn't be a Diaz film if there wasn't some point at which she lost a few layers and despite being just shy of the big four O she sure knows how to pull off a car wash scene.
There was something with the soundtrack that I liked as well. It suited the mood and gave that scheming feeling which was apparent whenever Diaz or Punch were on screen.
Bad teacher impresses more than I thought it was going to with a combination of over the top characters that play off of each other well and several cringe worthy moments leading the way in the laughing stakes (I actually laughed quite a few times). Sure there were some jokes that didn't quite make the cut for me and the reverting to toilet humour cropped up a couple of times but these instances were few and far between. It's certainly better than the long list of mediocre comedies that have been shown so far this year (Hall Pass, The Hangover Part II, The Dilemma) and is certainly worth a watch.

Gainsbourg Blu-Ray Review

To be honest I wasn't quite sure what the movie Gainsbourg was going to be like, surprisingly it's not the straight forward, reverential biopic that I was half expecting. In fact it's a startling work of originality as it's the debut feature of Joann Sfar, the renowned graphic artist of the Franco-Belgian comic new wave, as with his notable comic series The Rabbi's Cat he has worked in his shared Jewish heritage to tell the story of Lucien Ginsburg's rise to fame, the world would come to know him as the popular singer songwriter and the hugely influential 1960s cultural icon Serge Gainsbourg; played uncannily by Eric Elmosnino.
The film opens with the young Lucien Ginsburg growing up in Nazi-occupied Paris, his Russian-Jewish parents hailed from a musical background and his father taught him to play the piano, giving him a grounding in the classical repertoire but Lucien was less interested in music but passionate about drawing and he is sent to study at the Montmartre College of Art. Clearly Lucien's childhood experiences deeply affected him, not least the stigma of being forcibly labelled a Jew by having to wear a yellow star but also the appearance of his outsized ears and nose which made him painfully self-conscious.
The film is based on director Joann Sfar's own graphic novel Gainsbourg (Vie heroique) and he obviously identifies closely with the subject both culturally and artistically; cleverly blending animated fantasy sequences depicting Gainsbourg's early paintings and the visualisation of a dark character who figured in a gothic fairy story that Lucien would tell to his school chums as a way of transcending his complex about his looks; the creepy "Professor Flipus" who emerges when a Freudian projection of his immense head with exaggerated features explodes leaving behind this Nosferatu-esque puppet figure who becomes Gainsbourg's alter ego, embodying all of his least desirable characteristics from that moment on.
Professor Flipus is convincingly brought to life by the performer Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth) engaging the adult Lucien Ginsburg in a Faustian pact, promising in exchange for abandoning art and concentrating solely on music to make him a massive star, and so "Serge Gainsbourg" is born; this devilish doppelganger is a convenient device allowing him to elude any real blame for his erratic and irresponsible behaviour, particularly the poor treatment of the many women who come and go throughout his life; he abandons his first wife and their 2 children early on in the movie.
At the height of his fame Gainsbourg had a celebrated affair with starlet Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta) who was married to the playboy Gunther Sachs at the time, they collaborated together and he wrote Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus for her which they recorded but wasn't heard until 1986; instead the controversial original release featured Gainsbourg's next big romance who went on to become his longest-suffering wife, the English actress Jane Birkin (Lucy Gordon). They were together for almost 20 years and during that time Gainsbourg was to sink deeper into drug and alcohol dependency, reinventing himself as a counter-culture figure notorious for burning a 500 Franc note on stage and recording an ironic reggae version of La Marseillaise; drawing attention to the barbaric lyrics which enthusiastically encourage the patriotic slaughter of women and children.
The Blu-ray edition provides a showcase for the film's highly stylised visual design. The picture is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a full 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encode boasting a wonderfully vibrant colour palette which evokes both the spirit of the swinging 60s and the internal musings of Gainsbourg's wandering imagination, best illustrated by the ever-present glowing eyes of the surreal Professor Flipus. The DTS-HD master audio soundtrack encapsulates the informal moments of Gainsbourg's piano tinkering in smokey nightclubs as well as the iconically lush orchestrated hit recordings and maintains dialogue clarity throughout.
The very brief extras are the only disappointment in this package; it seems Optimum Home Entertainment missed a massive opportunity by not including a documentary featuring film footage and interviews with the real life Gainsbourg by way of a comparison. Nethertheless, Joann Sfar has created a breathtaking film debut which seems far less concerned with presenting facts or telling truths about his hero than creating a bizarre, whimsical world for him to inhabit; existing at arm's length from his destructive demons and leaving space for Eric Elmosnino's towering central performance to dominate the movie, he portrays both the essence of Lucien Ginsburg and the mannerisms of his mercurial stage creation Serge Gainsbourg effortlessly.

John McAndrew, Singer, Songwriter and Pianist

John McAndrew has that rarely-seen talent that allows a songwriter to write lyrics like poetry. His words flow, from the questioning tone of "Give Me New Eyes" to the beautiful and memorable new melody "I Love You All," a track from McAndrew's new album, "I Am Home." With each successive album, the gifted McAndrew further hones his talent for storytelling and songwriting, making this newest album his best yet. Accompanied with the release of his new CD "I am Home" the singer, songwriter and pianist, John McAndrew will be performing live in musical celebration accompanied by musician Merle Krause, as well as several other guest musicians.
A native of Wisconsin, John McAndrew was born in Rice Lake and was one of seven children, with four brothers and two sisters. In his earlier life, John thought of pursuing a career in 'the arts', because he loved drawing, but his love of music was just as equally strong and would eventually win him over. You see, John was born into a musical family with deep roots in music, as his father, Bill McAndrew was a musician and songwriter as well, who also played a nice variety of musical instruments. At a very early age, John McAndrew also knew he wanted to be a musician. Without a single formal lesson, he learned to play the saxophone, flute, guitar, harmonica, and piano. Eventually he settled on the piano to create his masterfully crafted blues songs, with his beautiful piano music serving as a counterpoint to his poetic and artfully written lyrics. More than a simple singer, pianist, or songwriter, John McAndrew is a storyteller. The inspiration he finds in life, and in the people around him, he chooses to express through his poignant, soulful lyrics. Though he calls himself a Pop/Blues artist, listening to his songs makes it easy to understand why McAndrew has attracted fans from all walks of life.
Besides the piano, John McAndrew, who is a self-taught musician, plays many different instruments such as, the saxophone, guitar, and harmonica. He is also a gifted lyric writer. His song "I'll Play All Night Long", is a tribute to his father and his brother Emil, who both died from cancer. John now makes his home in Nashville and in his spare time when he's not composing himself, enjoys listening to jazz. Other musical artist he likes to listen to is, Oscar Peterson,Gene Anderson, and Randy Newman, to name some. In 2006 John's CD entitled "Good Enough" and his music, "Give Me New Eyes" and "They Got That Look" were featured in the feature film "Jesus, Mary, and Joey", starring Olympia Dukakis, Charles Durning and Stacey Keach.

Warning Don't Try This At Home: Leave Steeldrum Construction to the Music Masters

Everyone loves the rhythmic sound of steeldrum (also known as steel pan) bands. During the summer there's not a festival in the entire US, Canada, and UK that does not boast of a steeldrum band included in the music performance lineup. More and more, the sound is used in product branding for anything that is consumed, bought, or used during the summer months. Then the steeldrum sound is used to lure us from the depths of winter and dream of warmer days as advertising reminds us we should start planning for the next summer's vacation. The steeldrum is no longer the once rare instrument to be heard, it is now incorporated into any music that is intended to make you feel happy, carefree, and joyful - a commercial, a movie, or a wedding reception.
Training classes to teach the steeldrum are held in corner mom and pop music stores, community centers, and in top University music programs. Steeldrum bands are sought for major music performance events and steeldrum student corps are becoming more popular in major cities. Through the progression of the instrument and its deep acceptance into music genres and culture there have been major advancements in the construction of the steeldrum. They used to be constructed by a steeldrum music master craftsman from the area of its origination in Trinidad and Tobago. Now it is still a handmade instrument but the process is more streamlined and some parts are more preciously carried out by the help of computerization.
Recently there has been much attention directed at the dangers of one choosing to make an attempt at constructing their own steeldrum. Authorities are hoping the word can be spread of the dangers, especially to young musicians that are most apt to attempt their own construction. The steeldrum is in fact made from an actual steel drum. Cut, shaped, and tuned by shaping of the drum bottom, it is then finely chromed to produce a steeldrum. There are other things steel drums are used for after their use for containment is no longer a desired purpose. People use them for decorative pieces, animal feeders, and gardening containment.
The danger of constructing the steeldrum stems from what the barrel originally contained. Usually oil filled drums are used, but the same type of drum can be used to hold other flammable products as well. Unfortunately deaths and major injuries have occurred as people unknowingly cut into drums, that while empty, and some even attempted to be cleaned, still held flammable vapors. Welding, grinding, or sawing all have the possibility of igniting fumes. Experts say it only takes one-half ounce of residual material to produce enough vapors that when mixed with a spark or heating source could ignite and explode.
Unfortunately many who are uneducated as to the dangers have been seriously injured or killed. Last week, in Ottawa, Canada a young high school student named Eric Leighton, 18 years of age, died after cutting into a metal steel drum in a shop class. The explosion that occurred also injured four other students and the teacher. The drum that was being cut is thought to have contained peppermint oil. The students were not going to make an instrument but were going to cut the drum and use it to make a barbeque grill. The school board has now put a temporary band on students cutting into any drums in which there could possibly have been a combustible substance.
There are many documented cases similar to the one that occurred in Ottawa, so much so that there are specific guidelines produced by organizations, government authorities, and insurance providers and even steeldrum makers warning of the proper cleaning procedures and precautions that must be taken when repurposing a steel drum.
For those that are looking to find an affordable steeldrum, there are used ones that can be found through secondary markets. There are also practice and learning products that are steeldrum-like and provide an affordable choice to begin playing a steeldrum. No matter, the steeldrum instrument construction should be left to the experts, whether from a studio, factory, or the backyard of a master steeldrum maker.

The Drums

Before we begin this review, I feel inclined to mention that I'm really not a fan of the whole fuzzed-out, lo-fi, unbelievably stoned beach pop thing that's going on right now. For me, "buzz bands" rarely ever live up to the ridiculous amounts of hype they're able to generate thanks to the miracle of the internet, but the bands in this awful, mutant genre are some of the worst offenders I've heard in a long time. I mean, there were at least a few albums I enjoyed from the psych-folk craze - the hipster's genre of choice before Wavves rocketed into the blog-o-sphere with the intensity of a thousand bong rips. This is why I immediately assumed I would hate The Drums' self-titled, debut LP. I felt obligated to listen, however, as I am a fan of lead singer Jonathan Pierce's previous band, a short-lived and very under-appreciated synth-pop group called Elkland. The Drums have been lumped in with the beach pop brat pack, though it turns out that Mr. Pierce and company aren't fans of it, either. They've stated in interviews that they don't consider themselves a part of that scene and would, in fact, like to distance The Drums from it. Of course, calling your first single 'Go Surfing' and shooting it's accompanying video entirely on the beach is a strange way of doing so. Still, I gave The Drums a chance and quickly realized that they have been mislabeled.
Much like on Elkland's one and only LP, Golden, The Drums have written an album-length love letter to the 80s. Elkland was a tribute to bright and bouncy synth-pop acts like Erasure and OMD, and while they've retained a lot of that sound with The Drums, you can now clearly hear the dark and romantic influence of another 80s group - The Smiths. This is most apparent right out of the gate as Jonathan Pierce does his best Morrisey impression while singing the first line of the first song, "Best Friend." "You're my best friend, but then you died," he laments as guitarist Jacob Graham plays a riff you'd swear he lifted from Johnny Marr. Everything about this song - the lyrics, the melody and the music - almost seems like a parody of The Smiths. Thankfully this isn't the case throughout the whole album. There isn't a single original idea to be found, of course, but you get the impression that originality isn't something The Drums are really going for. Again, this is a love letter. The Drums absolutely adore the music of the 80s and while it makes for a completely unoriginal album, it does give them the ability to sound like one of the most authentic of the bands that have participated in the new wave revival over the last 10 years.
My biggest problem with The Drums and frontman Jonathan Pierce, especially, isn't the fact that he tends to be a tad too derivative, it's that everything he's doing on this album he did so much better with Elkland. The Drums major downfall is a trapping they share with those pesky beach pop bands that Jonathan and I dislike so much. Their music is lo-fi simply for the sake of being lo-fi. For some bands, a lo-fi sound is appropriate and almost necessary to make the music work.
Pavement just wouldn't have been the same if they applied overblown production techniques and flawless arrangements to their recordings. Could you imagine if Stephen Malkmus used auto-tune? But Pavement managed to create their own brand of sloppy, college rock that was also just plain good and didn't need slick studio tricks to help them establish their band as one of the most influential in rock history. The Drums are too influenced by others to be influential themselves. The Elkland record was really over the top. The songs contained the same huge, sing-along choruses that Pierce maintains in The Drums but they were supported by lush arrangements and the music was produced and engineered without sparing a single resource. He seems to have lost this sense of craftsmanship, however, and his songs fall flat without it.

Digital DJ Equipment - The Gear For Pro DJs, Beginners And The Rest

What is the digital DJ equipment?
To be a digital DJ, you can use a very smart piece of gear generally called the DJ controller or console that plugs into your laptop. It combines 2 decks and a mixer all in one and allows you to play digital (MP3, wave, wma, flac) directly from your Mac or PC.
It works with an advanced software which analyses your tracks, helps you cue them up and allows you to simulate real vinyl and CD decks.
Many of them have a built in range of sound effects and advanced tools making it easier for you not only to mix, but to easily find, loop and even remix on the fly to some extent.
So why not be a PC DJ and just use a laptop on its own?
Some of the new digital DJ equipment breed just use a laptop to mix. Typically, this could be a guy on a low budget, who's never DJed before, blagging his way to gigs with a cracked version of a mixing software on a PC.
Did I mention, he's got a ton of MP3s copied from other DJs playlists and downloaded from "somewhere" on the Internet?
These guys generally can get a few gigs thanks to their smart promotion tricks and sit smugly behind their PCs, mixing with a mouse.
Yuck.
The image isn't a great one. What people see is a chancer who's trying to be cool and who's DJing to try to get money and girls by preening around and using his mouse to mix.
It's what I refer to as a mouse DJ. My advice?
Don't become one of these guys. They tend not to last too long.
If you want real gigs, a name for yourself and above all some respect then invest some of your cash and get a decent controller at least.
Mastering the gear and learning the basics of mixing, even if it is assisted by BPM counters and wave forms will get you some credit.
Some vinyl DJs may still look down their noses at you but more about that later.
Seeing a cheapskate in the booth on a PC and cracked software with little else sends out a message that this guy is a fake imposter.
That's why you should get yourself some real gear.
Being ready to doll out a few hundred on a controller sets you apart from the mouse DJs.
What DJ controllers are recommended?
I'd like to recommend you 3 different models of USB controller. This should correspond to your budget. I can't control what budget you have, but I can suggest that you always invest more in your gear.
Why? Because I know that if you buy a cheap controller, you'll end up buying a better one later on down the road. The total cost is of course, higher than if you'd invested more at the start.
In addition to this, no one wants to be seen with a plastic toy in a club. If you're passionate about becoming a digital DJ, then you should splash out some more.
Using CDs or vinyl with MP3s. Is this still digital?
It's still possible to mix using digital music and keep on using vinyls or CDS. This means that you (according to some people) still look cooler.
Whether you do or not is a matter of opinion.
If you like using CDs or vinyls to mix but you want to make the most of the convenience MP3 or digital DJing offers then you still can.
How?
By using time coded vinyl or CD to mix.
So what are the advantages of digital DJing?
Deciding how to approach DJing is important. Is mixing with MP3s looked down on with disdain in the dubstep and d'n'b world? Let's say you fit in better with vinyls.
But mixing with MP3s is more acceptable in other environments.
It's an important decision to make for you. Read more with my article to help you decide if having digital DJ equipment is really for you.

Wedding Planning Tips Anyone Can Use

Planning a wedding is a true art form these days. Most younger couples are faced with a tight budget, so making every penny count is critical to all having a good time. Regardless of the budget, though, there are lots of things a couple getting married can do to help make their wedding appear as if it cost a lot more than it actually did.
Before any planning or reservation are made, it is important to figure out how many guests are actually going to be able to attend the wedding. While it would be great to have everyone come, this is simply not in the budget of most couples. Get a realistic idea of who the "must have" people are and then make a secondary list of "on call" guests so to speak. You can always invite the second wave of attendees as people begin to decline.
When it comes time to book the hall, try to find an "off" time that will garner a lower rate. For most catering and wedding halls, this will be Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and some holidays. The prime spot is Saturday night and it comes with a high price tag. When the budget is small, get the Saturday night wedding out of your head right away.
Keeping the cocktail hour light will also lower the bill. In most cases, half the food that is paid for goes to waste. Even with that, people still eat too much going into dinner and even more food gets wasted. Keep the food to a minimum, literally just enough to give everyone something to hold them over till dinner. As long as something is coming out of the kitchen, most people could care less as long as they have a cold drink in their hand.
For the dinner menu, think just a bit out of the box. A formal sit down dinner will cost a lot more and will tie up the wedding for the bulk of the night. Instead, have what is called a "stations" dinner. The hotel or catering hall can set up food stations around the perimeter of the room and guests can eat whenever they want over the course of the evening. The band can play all night long, people can dance, and when they are ready to eat, they will eat.
Most people try to outdo each other when it comes to a wedding. However, it is amazing how popular the simpler weddings are when all is said and done. After all, the goal is to for everyone to have a good time. Guests will remember and talk about having a great time for much longer than they will a fancy steak dinner.

Relaxing Piano Music to Relieve Stress

It is said that music does many things to alter one's state of mind. From therapy to meditation, music plays a vital role. In many instances when you listen to a particular song, it generates feelings or thoughts either from the past or present.
In the world we live in today, along with the stress in our lives, where exactly would we be without music? Relaxing piano music is one way to relieve stress. You find it in therapy and meditation, even though you don't have to meditate to enjoy the benefits. You can go about your daily activities while listening to a song or songs that you might like to relieve the stress and tension.
Waking up in the morning to a nice song that you enjoy can lift your spirits immensely, as it takes away what you were thinking or dreaming. Enhancing what you enjoy, this is key and beneficial to your mind and soul.
Let's examine what music does to us while listening to it. When we listen to music, our breathing automatically slows and deepens while it also increases serotonin, which is called the feel good chemical. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in our brain that affects our feelings of happiness, comfort, and relaxation. Listening to music before bedtime or while drifting into sleep, plays as an aid to a healthier and restful night of sleep. It also reduces pain and slows down the heart rate, while lowering the blood rate.
Do you enjoy listening to music from your youth? Music from our youth brings back the thoughts and memories of people and places you haven't thought of for years. Music heightens your memory of the times when you were at a high point, generating feelings of security or a special moment that you have treasured over the years.
As I stated the fact that music was given to us for a reason and purpose. Whether you're listening to classical music or straight up jazz,, you will be benefited by what it has to offer. Playing an instrument as well can bring great comfort and joy. Many people take up playing an instrument at a later age solely for that purpose.
Enlighten your mind and soul with the things you enjoy most. Listening to music around twenty to thirty minutes a day, even as you walk for exercise with your mp3 player, stimulates the mind and soul.
It's crucial to the well-being of your mind and soul to enjoy the rewards you feed it. Always try to feed it with positive and uplifting thoughts. Remember, music is the happiness and key to your soul. You only have one lifetime to do things right, so enjoy what has been given to you.

Piano Tuition Can Be Fun - If You Have An iPad!

Learning piano in order to play at even a decent level requires serious commitment. No matter how you learn, you will need to practice regularly (ideally daily) in order to make progress. Otherwise, every time you return to the piano, you waste time relearning and rehashing techniques you should have already mastered. If you own an iPad, there is a way you can use basic piano skills to record and share your own music - and as your piano playing improves, evidence of your progress can swiftly be captured on the iPad.
The application I'm talking about is called Garage Band, and if you haven't got yourself a copy yet, I recommend that you download it as soon as you finish reading this. It costs just a few dollars, and will be one of the best investments you'll ever make.
Garage Band provides an 8 track recording environment on your iPad. I must admit when I first heard about it I thought to myself, "can an iPad application really give you a realistic and satisfactory recording experience?" Well, I can tell you now that the answer is an emphatic YES!
My early recording experiences were on 4 track tape, bouncing tracks around in order to squeeze out as much music out of the equipment as possible. Quality suffered a bit, but generally I was pleased with my efforts. But effort was the key word - as it took hours of careful manipulation and re-recording to get everything to sound the way it should.
However, when I started using Garage Band I was able to replicate the same results within the first hour of starting to use it! The application contains a number of keyboard - based sounds, so anyone learning the piano can quite easily begin to get more than acceptable results almost straight away. It makes a great complement to formal piano lessons, taken online or with a tutor.
With the drum kits, guitar samples, and ability to add your own vocal all built into the application, within no time you can have a piece of music you can be proud of. Even if you don't play the guitar that well, the so-called 'smart guitar' allows you to easily add a variation of guitar backing tracks. 'Smart' drums, bass and keyboards are also included, but use these carefully, otherwise you can lose individuality and creativity.
The Garage Band application also allows you to choose a particular key or scale, and in this way it actually becomes a great educational tool by showing you which range of notes fit in to that particular setting.
All in all, Garage Band, whilst not a replacement for taking proper piano tuition, does provide you with an easy way to capture your skills. And as your tuition advances, you can quickly create music within the application to show how much you have improved. It's also great fun too, and will definitely make your practice sessions seem not quite so boring. Plus, once you've recorded a piece, you can export it to iTunes, or email the file to a friend to listen to.

Raw Talent Made Rockabilly Famous

It's no great revelation that the original stars of rockabilly music had talent. But very often, theirs was a very special kind of talent. It was often unformed, underdeveloped, and even undiscovered. In other words, it was raw. And the rawness of rockabilly talent may have had as big an influence on the wild success of some of the music's stars as did anything else.
All of this raw talent made for some very raw music. Rockabilly was a real departure from any other mainstream music of the time--at least the white mainstream. Much of the attitude of rockabilly was derived from the raucous rhythm and blues music of the 1940s and early 1950s, but white audiences had yet to really discover much of that music. Rockabilly musicians had enough country music in their blood to be largely accepted by country-loving audiences and those fans were served their first taste of rhythm and blues attitude through rockabilly performers.
Few of the early rockabilly pioneers had much formal musical training. They simply took what they'd picked up from their musical influences in several different genres and melded it all together into a new musical art form. Not that they necessarily knew exactly what they were doing! They were just doing what seemed natural to them. And it was indeed raw. It was loud, brash, flashy, and almost wholly disapproved of by the "grown ups." So what more could teenagers want in their music?
The rockabilly music scene featured some amazingly talented musicians. Talented, but again, not necessarily formally trained. This lack of formal musical training freed these talented young people to fly off in any musical direction that occurred to them. They took things that everybody know you "couldn't do" with music and they did them. They broke rules and did it with flare. Who would have thought you could take country music and combine it with rhythm and blues and make records that people would want to listen to and buy? Maybe no one actually thought about it, but it's precisely what they did.
The raw nature of the music can be perceived in many ways. One simple way is to listen to many of the old recordings where you'll hear obvious mistakes made by the musicians. Bass players that stop late, drummers who accidentally play through a break, guitarists who "fat finger" a lead line--many records were release with mistakes like these on them and far from ruining the recordings, it's often those mistakes that lend that special character to the record. It's raw and the fans love it that way!
Today's pop charts can't even conceivably tolerate that type of rawness. You will not hear a mistake like those on a Lady GaGa recording, I can almost guarantee it. Today's pop music is often so over produced as to squeeze every last bit of raw goodness out of it. Maybe that's why rockabilly music endures even today almost 60 years later. Rockabilly fans love the raw sound. It's the sound of passion. The sound of musicians doing what they love and loving what they're doing. Are modern fans too sophisticated for this type of rawness? Maybe. But--judging by the resurgence and strength of the rockabilly scene throughout the world today--maybe not. Maybe it's exactly what modern fans want...and need!

Traktor Kontrol S4 Review - Digital DJ Equipment

I cut through the hype to show you what's really important. For me, this boils down to user experience and sound quality. These are what sets good controllers apart from average ones.
I prefer seeing the production model tested by real pro DJs first before giving an opinion.
The Traktor Kontrol S4 by Native Instruments is similar in that it's also a fully integrated hardware and DJ software solution.
It's a great size for a DJ controller. Not too big to transport easily (unlike the Numark NS7) and big enough to look cool.
It also appears to be scalable enough for both beginner and pro DJs to use with confidence.
What advantage for you? Stability my friend. The last thing you want is for your DJ mixing software to get stuck in a set and embarrass you, leaving you red faced and having to reboot everything. With everyone laughing and pointing at you.
Traktor Kontrol S4 review - 4 decks to mix with & 4 channel mixer
Many of you won't mix using 4 decks to start with, but after a while you'll start to see why having 4 different audio sources can be interesting. Using 4 decks isn't for a casual DJ who plays out once a month and rarely practices. It's for the guys and girls who want to add some creativity, splice new sounds into their mixes, mix 3 or 4 tunes together (yes people can do it) and basically let rip on the sounds.
I do like their 4 channel mixer function. That is Kool & the Gang! Good, sturdy knobs and buttons give you close control.
Having 4 audio sources also is great for when a new DJ has to hit the decks running with no dip in the beat.
Imagine you play for 1 hour, everbody's dancing, then another DJ comes on, or your buddy. You have to keep them on the floor!
He or she can seamlessly plug their audio source into the Traktor Kontrol S4 and play away without either of you sweating!
Just the dancefloor will sweat. You'll head off and get a nice cold beer of course, happy with your set.
Traktor Kontrol S4 review - 4 decks to mix with & 4 channel mixer
Many of you won't mix using 4 decks to start with, but after a while you'll start to see why having 4 different audio sources can be interesting. Using 4 decks isn't for a casual DJ who plays out once a month and rarely practices. It's for the guys and girls who want to add some creativity, splice new sounds into their mixes, mix 3 or 4 tunes together (yes people can do it) and basically let rip on the sounds.
I do like their 4 channel mixer function. That is Kool & the Gang! Good, sturdy knobs and buttons give you close control.
Having 4 audio sources also is great for when a new DJ has to hit the decks running with no dip in the beat.
Imagine you play for 1 hour, everbody's dancing, then another DJ comes on, or your buddy. You have to keep them on the floor!
He or she can seamlessly plug their audio source into the Traktor Kontrol S4 and play away without either of you sweating!
Just the dancefloor will sweat. You'll head off and get a nice cold beer of course, happy with your set.
Traktor Kontrol S4 review - 4 decks to mix with & 4 channel mixer
Many of you won't mix using 4 decks to start with, but after a while you'll start to see why having 4 different audio sources can be interesting. Using 4 decks isn't for a casual DJ who plays out once a month and rarely practices. It's for the guys and girls who want to add some creativity, splice new sounds into their mixes, mix 3 or 4 tunes together (yes people can do it) and basically let rip on the sounds.
I do like their 4 channel mixer function. That is Kool & the Gang! Good, sturdy knobs and buttons give you close control.
Having 4 audio sources also is great for when a new DJ has to hit the decks running with no dip in the beat.
Imagine you play for 1 hour, everbody's dancing, then another DJ comes on, or your buddy. You have to keep them on the floor!
He or she can seamlessly plug their audio source into the Traktor Kontrol S4 and play away without either of you sweating!
Just the dancefloor will sweat. You'll head off and get a nice cold beer of course, happy with your set.
Traktor Kontrol S4 review - the verdict
Pros This controller is great. For me, it's the fact that the DJ will enjoy him or herself and not get stressed and lost with the controls.
Having the 4 channel mixer is a massive plus.
I do think having a 24 bit sound card is a must and you should only be considering digital gear which has at least that.
It also looks extremely cool.
Cons
No scratching
I think that if you're a turntablists, you should consider using Serato as Traktor seem to be less adapted for turntablism.
Price isn't for everybody
The price is not low, but gets you good, high end material with reliable software that'll last you for the next 5 years at least, and probably more.
Have a look at it, see the user reviews and decide for yourself if it's really for you.

Tips For Practicing With Your Beginner Guitar

As far as musical instruments go, it's hard to beat the popularity and the universal appeal of a guitar. It is an extremely popular instrument for good reason; it is simple, affordable and yet capable of creating extraordinary music. If you dream of being a musician, and you have already bought your first beginner guitar, here are some tips that will help you become a better instrumentalist:
Practice with your pick, but don't forget your fingers either. You may not have a pick every time you want to play, and practicing with your fingers will make you a better, more versatile musician.
Use a guitar your are comfortable with. To most laymen, all guitars seem the same, with minor, cosmetic differences, but that's not really the case. Guitars have differences in wight, length and a variety of other factors. Consider your needs carefully and then choose your beginner guitar.
Variety is key to being a good guitarist. It is important to practice as well as listen to all kinds of music to understand the rich history and possibilities of the instrument you hold in your hands. If need be, steal a lick and make it your own. It's fine to copy in the beginning, you will develop your own style and your own way of doing things as you practice.
Ignore the pain. When you first start playing with your fingers, it will hurt. However, they will soon develop calluses, which will help, and you will get used to playing
Learn the basics. Beginners often forget about basics and concentrate on what is called "emotion" However, a rock solid grasp of fundamentals will not inhibit your ability to play with emotion, but rather increase it.
Talk about it. If you want to be a good player, you have to do more than practice is solitude. You have to talk to other players at your level, as well as experts for hints and ideas. Go on online forums dedicated to music and talk about your experiences. You will find a whole community waiting for you.
Don't play to be a star. Play to be a good musician and a good guitarist. Get better, and the accolades will come anyway.
A beginner guitar is your first step to becoming the musician you want to be. It's the instrument that helps you fulfill your dreams of being a musician, so choose with care, make sure you are comfortable with it and embark on a wonderful journey of musical discovery.

Baritone Michael Minsky's Ukrainian Recordings: A Historical Treasure

What was it about rockabilly music that held such strong appeal to the youth of the 1950s? Why was the music so powerful and why did it become such a defining force in American culture and then worldwide culture? And how has the music's appeal evolved over time? What makes modern fans love the music as much as--if not more--than the fans of the 1950s. I'm not sure those are questions that can truly be answered, but I'm willing to try!
It's easy to point out that the young fans of the 1950s had become terribly bored with the music they had available to listen to. Country music was (in my opinion) at its wonderful peak during this era, but it wasn't really music aimed at the kids. There was lots of great jazz music happening at the time, but it didn't really move kids either. The kids weren't looking for jazz sophistication. They needed something more powerful. Other forms of music were also turning out great performances. Neither blues nor rhythm and blues was mainstream enough for a wide audience.
And then Elvis came along. A new music was, if not invented by Elvis, certainly made famous by The King. And it was just what the young fans were looking for. Elvis was young, charismatic, energetic, and completely new and different. That was his appeal. The music he created was unlike anything most people had ever heard before. It was loud, brash, fast, and not just a little bit controversial. That was the music's appeal!
The very things that made adults despise Elvis and deride his music were the things that appealed to his youthful audience. And of course, Elvis wasn't alone. Once he exploded on the scene, many other similar artists followed and began to grow the new rock and roll phenomenon. Soon it wasn't just one outrageous kid from Memphis, rather it quickly became a movement. And being part of this exciting movement of energy, joy, rebellion, and pure fun naturally held amazing appeal to millions of kids who'd finally found something they could claim strictly as their own. The adults didn't like it and didn't approve of their listening to it, so of course they liked it and listened to it all the more!
In this way, rockabilly music of the 50s was similar to the punk music of the late 70s and into the 80s. In fact, many people call rockabilly music the original punk music. It's just that by the 1970s, behaviors had to be even more outlandish in order to get a similar rise out of the establishment. But punk music couldn't be sustained. It lacked musicality that enabled fans to enjoy the songs as songs themselves. Instead they enjoyed the rebellion and the shock of the music and scene. They enjoyed irritating the adults.
Rockabilly music did that too. Fans enjoyed the rebellion and the shock, but there was musicality to the genre. Fans could appreciate a good rockabilly song for the music that it contained and for the musicianship that it took to play it. You could sit and listen to a rockabilly song in a way you couldn't with punk music. And so while punk eventually died largely away, the original appeal of rockabilly started to catch on once again. Rockabilly's revival began as punk music's reign began to subside. The kids could get the same feelings of rebellion and antiauthoritarianism from rockabilly as they were getting from punk. But at the same time, they could actually enjoy the music as great music.

The Right Way to Lease Beats on the Internet in 7 Simple Steps

Just how does one set about eating an elephant? The (grinning) answer is "One bite at a time!". It is the same with any large task, really. When you look at the whole thing all at one time, it seems impossible. Break it down into its elements, into small bite-sized pieces, and those don't look formidable at all. Those steps can each be something that is not so difficult, something which can be done. And once you have done each of the small-task steps, you look back and see that now you've gotten the whole of the formidable-task thing done. It is exactly the same way with how to lease beats on the internet. Here is a way to tackle the formidable task of leasing beats on the web, in 7 simple steps.
Step 1. Locate a trusted seller with a strong reputation. With this you'll want to find out how smoothly past customers experience was with leasing beats. If you don't do that or neglect it, you will probably have a situation where you don't receive your beats on time, if at all.
Step 2. Choose beats you like and can use. This part is important because choosing the correct beats can be the difference between a successful career and a not so successful career. ).
Step 3. Get second opinions of how the beats sound. Which means that you shouldn't gauge what's a good beat by yourself. Let the public help you decide what they want to hear from you. This can additionally mean that you may not want to always go for the first thing you hear but browse around a while until you hear that hit.
Step 4. Decide if you actually sound good over the beat. This will require a good ear. Every beat doesn't work with every voice or style. Just because the beat is hot doesn't mean it's a good fit for you. How many times have you heard a good beat "ruined" by an artist who just didn't sound right? This comes from choosing beats incorrectly.
Step 5. Consider the value the beat is bringing to the table. Among the important points to keep in mind here is sometimes the cheapest option isn't bringing the best value for your money. Why this is often important is price is just one factor. It's better to pay a little more for a hit record than a little less for album filler material.
Step 6. Once you've completed the first five steps it's time to make a purchase. This should be the easiest step in the process. If the checkout process is difficult you may be dealing with an inexperienced seller in which case you should refer to step one!.
Step 7. After the purchase is made there should be an option for an instant download. Depending on the seller and the lease chosen there may be additional materials received like track-outs or session files. You are now almost there! Remember, this should be a quick and easy process. Once you have your beats in hand the rest is up to you.
Should you follow the steps outlined above, in time the enormous elephant of a challenge you faced shall be "eaten up" and dealt with. You'll achieve success, complete your project and enjoy your winner's rewards, the fruits and benefits of your victory! Kudos for you!

What Should I Look For In A Rock Guitar?

There are a lot of aspects of an electric guitar that make it ideal for the heavier types of rock music. Below are three of the most important points to think about if you are picking a guitar for this music genre, or maybe upgrading your current model to make it more suitable.
1. The initial thing to take into account (this applies if buying a brand new model as opposed to upgrading your existing instrument) is the wood that the guitar is constructed from. The sound resonates from the strings, through the hardware and the wood. Great quality dense wood will sustain far better than a lighter wood. Over the years popular heavy rock guitars have included the Gibson SG model also the Flying V. Both of these models were constructed of a solid mahogany body and neck, minus the Maple top that Les Pauls had. You will find other excellent woods utilised but solid mahogany is indeed a fantastic choice for sustained heavy rock.
2. The next crucial consideration is the hardware utilised in the guitars construction. The quality of the materials used for the tailpiece, bridge, nut, tuners and maybe the tremolo unit are all essential. The cheap metals used on a number of budget guitars undoubtedly will not help achieve the crunching sound required for metal. The hardware is pretty straightforward to replace and there are some great aftermarket upgrades.
3. The new upgrade that gives the most obvious sound change is one of the more easy changes. This particular boost involves changing the stock guitar pickups with aftermarket versions. The important consideration when looking for pickups that will provide you with the tone you need is not only the price, but also the pickup's overall performance specification. If heavy rock or metal guitar is the style you like to play, then you may almost certainly playing a guitar with humbucking pickups as opposed to the thinner sounding single coil designs. All guitar pickup manufacturers will have their individual take on what makes the perfect pickup for metal guitar. You will be faced with a variety of specifications including the type of magnet used, the type of coil wire used, the number of coil winds and whether or not the pickup is built wax potted. A few makers are adamant that ceramic magnets are a better choice than alnico, and a massive coil resistance of around 16 ohms is a prerequisite of a splendid rock pickup.
You will see that there are normally sound samples on the seller's website which can help to some extent. Some aftermarket pickup makers will allow you to return any pickups that you are not 100% happy with, so there is some security when making your decision.
So there are the three areas of a guitar to pay attention to if you're specially trying to achieve a splendid heavy rock sound. If you can only have the funds for one change then go with a set of after market pickups. This is going to be your fastest route to the proper sound.

Releasing Your Pressure For A Few Hours At A Time

It's time to divide yourself from the cell phone. Your phone chats, text messages, and business dealings can wait. Shut off the computer for long enough that email updates aren't blighting your mind. The paperwork that has been piling up on your desk can be organized at a later date.
Not very many things are as hazardous to a person's health as stress. Your elevated blood pressure and migraine headaches are pleading you to take the day off. Is that superfluous few hours of getting things done worth the possibility of abridging your lifespan?
Now is the point to let go of your stress. You've sworn to yourself for weeks that you would slow down and now is the time to keep your promise. It's time to just let go.
The most significant step is to veil every stressful notion. Disregard the anger you have toward your family member. Don't allow another consideration to all the work you have leftover for the week. Every terrible notion must go. Your head needs a rest and it's up to you to make that happen.
How do you get to your happy place? You may not even have to combat the stressors of the world outside your home to get there.
Maybe your bliss can be uncovered inside of a warm simmering bath while listening to The Doors vinyl. You can soak in the tub for an hour, doing nothing but listening to music and enabling the water to engulf you. Let the perfume of the bubble bath transport you to the easier times of your childhood.
Invite over some fun companionship and have fun with a board game. Winning or failing can mean nothing more than skipping a turn or sacrificing some pink paper money. The end line can be an after thought to laughing and liking life.
Over a year ago you purchased a book with every aim of reading it. Really vital affairs always seemed to pop up every time you desired to read.
It's time to get back to the days of engaging in a fantastic book. Let the story move you, while you listen to some record albums in the background.
A leisurely day doesn't need to take place outside of the four walls of your residence. One alternative is to put your feet up and listen to your Doors vinyl. Pass the ball around with your cat. Take a few Z's before going back to your typically scheduled day.
It doesn't need much more than one hour a day of unwinding to stop stress' obliteration of your life.

Grand Piano Bench Facts - A Summary of Various Bench Models and Styles

The process of replacing your grand piano bench is easy if you take into account several factors before your purchase. It is imperative that you have the proper knowledge regarding the purpose of these benches as well as the different brands and models, including the materials used in the construction and the price ranges for each bench. Before making the final decision regarding the unit to purchase, consider mainly how it will be used and how suitable it is for your needs. Acoustic, digital grand and baby grand pianos all have relatively the same keyboard height; therefore grand piano bench models will function properly for all of them. Your choice should also consider how often the piano bench will be used and where it will be used, whether for home, institutional or school setting.
The most preferred bench by many musicians and one of the most popular styled benches is the adjustable model. This bench can be variably adjusted according to the height of the player and to the proper sitting position at the grand piano improving the player's technique and increasing overall comfort. Adjustable benches also have fully padded seats made from covering materials such as leather or vinyl. The deluxe models have a music storage space found underneath the seat. This compartment is concealed to allow out-of-sight storage so that the benches can be considered an acceptable part of the overall appearance of the room.
Leather-padded benches are the ones most often preferred by musicians because they offer ultimate comfort aside from being attractive-looking and longer-lasting. The leather adjustable grand piano benches are ideal for use by beginners and professionals alike, who like comfort while playing but demand a bench that is functional and elegant for use as an interior décor piece. The duet piano bench is another traditional or standard model that is originally supplied together with the purchase of many grand and baby grand pianos. Well-known features include an extra long seat that is roomy for any player as well as storage for music sheets and books beneath the hinged top.
The duet piano bench is used ideally at home and it is also utilized by many institutions because of its rigid construction such as those made with wood materials. Not only is the bench available with a finished wood top, it is also available in padded materials such as leather and vinyl. There is an assortment of designs, the leg styles available to fit the existing furniture patterns in addition to a host of colors available, enabling a close match to many colors found in the room.
The double piano bench is easily the favorite of many mentors and performers as it allows two players to sit comfortably at one piano. It has a lot of advantages, such as enabling instructors to teach their students comfortably and accompany their pupils properly. A teacher can demonstrate good technical practices carefully as the students can easily observe while seated beside them. The seat can be independently adjusted according to the height of the person seated on them and to the correct position in relation to his/her build and height.

My Heart Belongs to Great Grand Daddy, Octogenarian Hugh Hefner to Wed 24-Year-Old Playboy Playmate!

This is the kind of story that triggers universal sniggers, all-knowing winks and nudges, and of course an avalanche of jokes, crude, funny, blue.
The facts
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, 84 years young, announced his engagement on Twitter on Christmas Day 2010. The lucky bride-to-be is 24-year-old Kimberley Conrad, Playboy Playmate of the month for December 2009.
Kimberley, predictably, is a looker in the time tested Playboy fashion, a long-tressed blond, leggy, tanned, a dream come true. No wonder "Hef" looks so smug and self-satisfied in his engagement photo. After all, he has pulled off what every aging (but still red-blooded) American male dreams of and has the eye-catching photographs to prove it.
What's this all about? We all think we know, don't we?
The first thing that pops into our heads is most assuredly NOT good wishes for the happy couple, certainly not. Instead of a match made in heaven, the general premise is something like this:
a man of money, position, and abnormally high testosterone levels, hits the bulls-eye with an All-American stunner who checked the actuarial tables before saying "I will" and liked the life expectation numbers she saw. Thus, she saw a golden future dead ahead should she outlive her groom and keep his attention for just a little time.
In short, they both were licking their chops.
Perhaps they really do love each other.
Americans, at root a very pragmatic people, can understand this quid pro quo, tit for tat, way of life. Many of us, after all, have made similar, if not quite so remunerative deals with the devil. It is something we understand.
But what if this initial, inevitable knee-jerk reaction is wrong? Suppose, in the spirit of science, the (almost) unthinkable, suppose, I say, that he loves her... and that she loves him. When a (typically) judgmental young friend of mind heard this news, his reaction was brief, harsh, absolute: "gross!" It was simply unthinkable, unimaginable that a young stunner could actually love a (by definition) tired old geezer. "Gross" indeed!
However, love, as all those know who partake in this surprising dish, is unaccountable. Every day people wed who find more joys in being together than could be expected from the hostile reaction to their togetherness Call it affection... call it fulfillment... call it love. Fate throws them together and animal magnetism and deep affection keep them together "till death do us part", happy despite a pronounced difference in ages.
Difficult though it is for my inexperienced young friend to assess this possibility accurately, it is not so difficult for me, a spring chicken of only 63.
"Hef" brings more to the table than just a plethora of years and lots of shekels. For one thing, he seems genuinely to like women. Oh, yes, I know what you're thinking...he certainly does. But I mean that he really likes women, not just as a series of riveting curves and surprising revelations. I mean that he likes and respects women... and derives great joy, on many levels, from having them in his life.
If such be the case, then he is truly a fortunate fellow, for love is, indeed, a many splendored thing when it brings about happiness and fulfillment, particularly late in life.
Still... there are those who hope for the very worst. It reinforces their glum view of humans and their twisted relationships. These folks would be completely unhappy at any denouement that made "Hef" and his intended anything other than entirely selfish, degrading, revolting... and so deeply satisfying to the man on the street, who expects the worst and gets it.
Meet the true Hugh Hefner, an important player in one of America's most important export businesses, leisure and entertainment
After the sale of arms (sadly always America's #1 export) the largest and arguably more important business is entertainment and leisure. Not only is it supremely lucrative but, at the same time that it racks up record profits, it also changes the world. Products in the leisure and entertainment field not only help people while away their free hours... they also change the way people think, act, live. They Americanize the globe. Here Hefner is a key player.
Hefner with, of course, the willing aid and assistance of a bevy of scantily clad ladies caught in piquant and naughty poses, has been responsible for billions of dollars coming into this country, not just those directly coming to Playboy and its many enterprises but from all related businesses. These all took their cue from "Hef", tracking him closely, for he was the real deal, a bona fide inventor and seer.
To put it bluntly, "Hef" has been since his first Playboy issue in 1953, an active, engaged participant in the easing and abolition of some of America's more heinous social views, including the domestic repression of women and the ridicule and oppression of homosexuals. Yes, at the same time as he (both directly and indirectly) sweetened our country's balance sheet, he aimed (partly through the magazine's articles which generations of college boys used as their "reason" for reading the magazine), he aimed I say,at nothing less than a social revolution. By removing clothes and creating fantasies, Hugh Hefner (no doubt laughing all the way to the bank) transformed the nation into a place entirely comfortable for him -- and his winsome Bunnies. Surely by this reckoning "Hef" deserves America's highest civilian decoration, the Freedom Medal, the name so very apt for such a man.
Sadly, no president (including his near Chicago neighbor Mr. Obama) will ever dare to give it to him in a White House ceremony with his beautiful young wife in the front row cheering him on, bashful but radiantly alluring. What a ceremony we'll never have.
Still, I think Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hefner will not complain overmuch for there is much yet to do in Playboy Bunny Land... with America's export trade to save... and an abundance of social ills to cure. As wife Kimberley sits on his knee of an evening, no doubt "Hef" is focused squarely on these crucial matters... and on absolutely nothing else, except his pre-nup, which no doubt he consults often and carefully.

5 Tips to Growing Organic Tomatoes

You all want to include ripe, fresh tomatoes in your diet; you have to grow organic tomatoes on your own. The ones sold at the market are not always fresh. When you grow tomatoes all by yourself they are very fresh and of the best quality. This article will teach you how to grow fresh organic tomatoes.
Things that are sold in the market are not always healthy. Several chemicals and pesticides are used to grow these tomatoes. The skin is very thick and the inner portions are not very tasty. When you eat tomatoes that you have grown all by yourself, you will be able to feel how different they are from the ones that are available in the market.
The steps of organic gardening:
Step 1: the first step is concerned with the ground. You will have to calculate a few things. They are:
• The trees that you will plant have to be spaced out well. The space in between them must be 18 - 36 inches apart.
• The soil: tomatoes are such plants which can grow in a variety of soil conditions. But they grow best in loamy soil. This soil is very rich in organic matter. The pH level of the soil should be something in between 6.2 - 6.8. If you want to grow the best quality tomatoes, this is the ideal condition for doing so.
Step 2: you have to decide what kind of tomatoes you want to grow. Some of the varieties that are found in tomatoes may not grow in your gardens. This is because your garden does not have the specific conditions that are required to grow these tomatoes. Think about these factors:
• Sometimes how you want to eat the vegetable determines the type that you must grow. Do might want to make juice, or for canning purposes or you want to have these tomatoes as salads. It depends on how you are going to use them.
• Some of the varieties of tomatoes are prone to getting destroyed. You must go with a variety that can withstand local conditions.
• Tomatoes have varied growing periods. Some of them grow in just 2 months while some take more than 90 days to grow.
Step 3: decide whether you want to plants tomato seeds of saplings. The process is known as transplanting. If you are not professional at organic gardening, you can start by planting the saplings. Planting seeds may cause problems. Seeds require too much care.
Step 4: you must ensure steady water supply for the plants. Tomato plants will not survive if there is not optimum supply of water. You must water them two to three times a week and they need three l of water each day. But do not overdo it. Because too much of water can be very harmful for the plants.
Step 5: its best to use organic fertilizer. However chemical fertilizers also fit the bill. They best grow in fertilizers that are rich in phosphorous.